The Constitution
As amended at the AGM, 15th January 2003
1 Name
The name of the Club shall be the 'Oxford Mountaineering Club' hereinafter referred to as 'the Club'.
2 Objectives of the Club
To promote the interests in climbing, hill walking and general mountaineering amongst members of the Club by providing opportunities for members or the Club to meet and participate in such activities together. To act on behalf of, and in the interests of Club members. To promote awareness of the need to maintain access, conservation and protection of the cliff and mountain environment.
3 Membership of the Club
3.1 Membership Application
Membership of the Club is open to all aged eighteen or over, agreeing to abide by the Constitution and Rules of the Club. In exceptional circumstances the Committee may refuse to admit any individual as a member, or impose conditions on an individual's membership.
3.2 Acceptance of Risks
Membership of the Club shall only be open to individuals who recognise that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Members shall be aware of, and accept these risks and agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
3.3 Minors
Club membership is not open to anyone under the age of 18 years.
3.4 Expulsion
Any member guilty of conduct considered prejudicial to the interests of the Club may have his/her membership terminated by a majority decision of the Committee.
4 Management of the Club
The Management of the Club shall be entrusted to the Club Committee, hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee'.
5 Club Committee
5.1 Officers
The elected officers of the Club shall be the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Hut Warden and up to eight elected members from the Club Membership hereinafter referred to as the officers. The officers of the Club form the Club Committee.
5.2 Elections
Voting for the election of officers shall take place at the AGM.
5.3 Voting
Decisions to be carried out by majority voting, the Chairman having the casting vote if necessary.
5.4 Maximum Term
No officer shall serve in the same post for a term longer than 5 years
5.5 Committee Meetings
The Committee will meet as necessary on a date fixed by them or at the request of the Secretary. Four Committee members shall constitute a quorum
5.6 BMC Representation
The Committee may nominate a representative (representatives) of the Club to attend BMC meetings and represent the views of the Membership and vote on behalf of the Club.
5.7 Co-option
In the event of a vacancy occurring on the Committee between elections. the Committee may co-opt a replacement. The Committee may also co-opt members onto the Committee to perform special functions.
6 General Meetings
6.1 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held approximately annually on a date fixed by the Committee and all club members will be notified by post or email at least 14 days in advance. The lesser of twenty members, or one quarter of the total membership shall constitute a quorum.
6.2 Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be called at any time by the Committee or by request of one quarter of the total membership. All club members will be notified by post or email at least 14 days in advance.
6.3 Voting
The Chairman to have the casting vote if necessary.
7 Club Subscriptions
Subscription levels will be set annually at the AGM.
8 Financial
8.1 Audit
The accounts shall be checked annually by auditors appointed by the Committee prior to their presentation at the AGM, or by request of the Treasurer. The auditors shall include one qualified auditor to be paid a reasonable honorarium if necessary.
8.2 Financial Year
The financial year shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
8.3 Records
Records of accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer and shown to the Committee at their request at any time.
8.4 Banking
The Club funds shall be deposited in a bank or similar account as approved by the whole Committee, and drawable upon receipt of the signatures of any two of the four Committee members delegated for this purpose.
9 Rules of the Club
9.1 Setting Rules
The Committee shall have the power to set Club rules. Such rules shall be in accordance with the articles of the Club's Constitution, and the policies of the BMC.
9.2 Club Property
For the benefit of the members and the furtherance of the Club's objects, properties may be acquired and held available for use by all Club members. The use of Club property by non-members is at the discretion of the Committee.
10 Amendments to the Constitution of the Club
The Constitution may be amended only at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting and such proposed changes to be first discussed by the committee and circulated with the Agenda of the Meeting.
11 Liabilities
The Club, or its Committee, will accept no liabilities of any sort whatsoever for the person, property or behaviour of a member or any other person.
12 Reimbursement of expenses to tenants of the Club hut
The Club will reimburse expenses arising from the Club's occupation of the Club hut reasonably demanded by the tenants ('the trustees'), who hold the tenancy for the benefit of Club Members.
13 Dissolution of the Club
Dissolution of the Club may be carried out by a decision of three quarters of the membership at the AGM or at an EGM or by a postal ballot. Any assets or liabilities to be shared equally between all Club members.